Damigeron's Dungeon

Plant Indices

Alphabetical Index (Genera)
Alphabetical Index (Vernacular)
Cladistic Index

Genera:

Glaucium
Meconopsis
Papaver

* * * * * * *

Family: Papaveraceae

Papaver somniferum subsp. setigerum, April 2010.
Own work--Alvesgaspar.

Names:

Poppy
Afeem [Hindi]
Afyun [Arabic]
Amapola [Spanish]
Aphim [Persian]
Arcticmohn [Norwegian]
Arktos-Mohn [German]
Ashqabaq [Kazakh]
Atlaloc [Nahuatl]
Banga-Phula [Bengali]
Bhuin Posh [Kashmiri]
Blodurt [Norwegian]
Blutkraut [German]
Coquelicot [French]
Corn Rose
Cracking Rose
Cuz [Lingua Ignota]
Doda [Punjabi]
Field Poppy
Fiks [Albanian]
Gartenmohn [German]
Gelincik [Turkish]
Gelinchichayi [Azerbaijani]
Hashas [Turkish]
Khash-Khash [Persian]
Khaskhash [Arabic]
Klaproos [Dutch]
Klatschmohn [German]
Koknar [Uzbek]
Kornvallmo [Swedish]
Kornvalmue [Danish]
Koknar [Kyrgyz]
Kukkauni [Finnish]
Lale [Urdu]
Mak [Czech/Polish/Slovak]
Maki [Greek]
Makovyi [Russian]
Mohn [German]
Nala'tsoi' [Navajo]
Opiumnyi Mak [Russian]
Papaver [Dutch/Italian]
Papoila [Portuguese]
Papoula [Portuguese]
Pavot [French]
Poppel [German]
Popy [Nepali]
Post [Hindi]
Posto [Bengali]
Qashqash [Dari]
Raktesvara [Sanskrit]
Romeira [Portuguese]
Rosella [Italian]
Shaqaiq An-Nu'man [Arabic]
Skrjadur [Icelandic]
Slaapbol [Dutch]
Unikko [Finnish]
Vallmo [Swedish]
Valmue [Danish/Norwegian]
Vlaproos [Afrikaans]
Vlci Mak [Czech]
Xamxaam [Somali]
Xash-Xaash [Somali]
Ying Su [Mandarin]
Ying Suk [Cantonese]

Distribution: Temperate and cold regions of Eurasia, Africa, and North America

Physical Description
Type genus of Papaveraceae, containing close to 100 species of frost tolerant annuals, biennials, and perennials. These are herbaceous plants grown for their colorful flowers and, in the case of one species, for opium production.

Papaver argemone drawing by Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé,
from Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz (1855).
Sourced from biolib.de.

Symbolism

Sleep
The poppy, being a natural source of opium, has a strong association with sleep. The Greeks regarded it an emblem of the gods of sleep (Hypnos) and dreams (Morhpeus). This was carried over into more modern eras as an emblem of the allegorical figure of Night.

Poppies were also wreathed upon statues of Apollo, Asclepius, Pluto, Demeter, Cybele, and Isis, in reference to divine nocturnal oblivion.

Funerary
The poppy has strong funerary symbolism that has carried over from antiquity. It was used in tomb burials in Egypt. The soporific properties of opium lend it naturally to association with the final sleep: death. The Greeks believe that poppies also grew in the land of the dead, Hades. Persephone, being queen of the dead, had poppies wound in her hair. The color of the red poppy lent itself well to a reinterpretation of this symbolism under Christianity, where the red tied it to Christ’s sacrifice, and through his death to eternal life.

Since the end of World War I, the poppy has been a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who have died in the field, hearkening back to the poppy fields of Flanders, which were torn up with the trenches so many men died in.

Because of its funerary use, it also became associated with consolation.

Flower and unripe seedpods of Papaver spicata in the
Botanical Gardens in Marburg, Germany, 14th July, 2017.
Own work--Misolonax.

Winter
Because of the poppy’s frost-resistant properties, it was also regarded as an emblem of winter. The Greeks associated the poppy with Demeter and Persephone, which is a natural evolution of the flower’s sleep and death associations.

Skinner elaborates on this: when Hades absconded with Persephone, Demeter looked all through Sicily, even climbing Mt. Aetna to light torches to search by night. Taking pity on her, the other gods caused poppies to sprout at Demeter’s feet. She leaned down to investigate and, on inhaling their breath and eating their seeds, fell into the deep sleep of winter.

This association appears to go back to the Minoans.

Fertility
The resilience of this plant in winter makes it a vision of life in the barren, making it an obvious symbol of fertility, hope, and resilience. It was also believed that eating the seeds enhanced fertility, making it an emblem of Aphrodite/Venus.

There is phenomenological backing to this fertility association, as many poppies are cereal weeds, and bloom and seed prior to the harvest, adapting its lifecycle to the schedule of human agriculture.

Ill-Omen
According to Skinner, when the poppy acted as a weed its red color was regarded as an omen of evil. This continuation of its death symbolism is supported, Skinner relays, by a story of Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome. When Tarquinus’s son asked what should be done with the conquered people of a city, the King answered by decapitating the heads of the largest poppies in his garden, thereby instructing the massacre of the city’s most influential citizens.

Wrath
A more recent association of the flower is with wrath. Skinner claims that after the Battle of Neerwinden in 1793, the fields were covered with scarlet poppies, rich in the blood of twenty thousand men, and that the locals took it as a sign of God’s displeasure.

Skinner relays a similar sentiment from a still more recent incident: the massacre of Custer’s forces at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. According to him the Sioux reported that the poppy did not appear in their lands until after Custer’s death, and that when they attempted to pick up the flower they could not, because the leaves cut their hands like cavalry sabers. Supposedly this new flower sprang from the blood of the fallen cavalrymen.

Victorian Flower Language
In the Victorian tradition of flower language, the flower can carry the generic meanings wealth, humility, and generosity (though, to this compiler, these all seem to be recent additions). Stronger meaning is attached to poppies by their color. According to Kate Greenaway, the meanings are such:

Red: “consolation.”
Scarlet: “fantastic extravagance.”
White: "sleep;" “my bane,” or “my antidote.”

The last two messages from the white poppy may be context dependent, or they may be stated simultaneously, indicating that the sender is addicted to the recipient like a drug. This may be flirtatious, or a sincere acknowledgment that a relationship is unhealthy.

Papaver rhoeas, Thasos, Greece, 29th May, 2007.
Own work--Jörg Hempel.

Culture
This plant’s history goes back sometime between 6000-3500 BC, including evidence of ornamental growing from around 5000 BC, when it is believed that the Sumerians were the first to domesticate the plant. Trace evidence was found in small juglets in Egypt, as well as depictions of the flower in jewelry, dating somewhere between 1550-1292 BC

Poppy Oil
Poppy oil is used to produce paints, varnishes, and some cosmetics.

Old Holland Refined Poppy Oil, from dickblick.com.

Magic

Love Spell
An old love spell gives the poppy the curious nickname “cracking rose.” To determine if a lover is faithful, one strikes the petal of a poppy between the hands, holding the petal in the palm and punching it with the other hand. If the petal breaks, the lover is not true, but if the petal holds together and makes a loud crack on the strike, then the lover is faithful.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Poppy is a well-known source of medicinal alkaloids such as morphine. It has a long history as a medical analgesic and narcotic, as well as a recreational drug. This will be covered in the Opium section at the end of this article.

Mild Analgesic
The narcotic alkaloids that poppy is best known for occur in minute amounts in poppy seeds. For this reason ancient Egyptian doctors prescribed eating the seeds as a mild general painkiller, not dissimilar to aspirin today. These properties are retained by the seed only if they were harvested within 20 days of the flower opening. Any later and the plant has metabolized the alkaloids out of its seeds.

Poison
Obviously one can overdose on opioids.

Food
The seeds are edible and are cultivated for culinary purposes. They are rich in oil, carbs, calcium, and protein. The oil of the seeds is also used as a cooking oil, salad dressing, and as a base for margarine. Unfortunately, the poppy seed does not yield enough oil compared to commercial products to be seen as other than a niche product. The seeds contain only trace amounts of active alkaloids, and the oil even less.

Freshly baked homemade bagels with onion, sesame seed,
poppy seed, cream cheese, and butter. (Fudio)

Compiler Notes

Expand ton the idea of “cracking rose” divination. Surely this can be used on relationships other than those of lovers, perhaps depending on color?
From the (probably apocryphal) claims of Skinner regarding the recent Sioux folklore on the poppy, odd occurrences of plants could be used to mark important locations. This could be related to literal occurrences, or the stories could be used as post-hoc explanations. This latter use is more interesting, as it enables characters attached to the land to organize local curiosities into the grand dramas of legend and myth. How might settlements claim specific knowledge of where a hero wrestled a monster half a day’s walk from the city gates?
The color of poppies has a strong association with blood. There are many ways to work with this, from the blood of slain soldiers to the spilled blood of monsters like dragons. This could easily be used to substitute for those violently killed as a reagent in spells, especially in necromancy.
Representations of plants on jewelry could potentially have their own magical properties. Consider the intersection of the plant and the stone medium.
Poppy seeds used like ancient or medieval aspirin seems like a good avenue for jokes.

Image Refs

[Img 01 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_April_2010-3.jpg ]

[Img 02 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Papaver_argemone0.jpg ]

[Img 03 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PapapverSpicatum.jpg ]

[Img 04 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_rhoeas_LC0050.jpg ]

[Img 05 - https://www.dickblick.com/items/old-holland-refined-poppy-oil-100-ml-bottle ]

[Img 06 - https://www.foxnews.com/health/maryland-mom-tests-positive-for-opiates-after-eating-poppy-seed-bagel ]

Papaver rhoeas, from Franz Eugen Köhler's three-volume work,
Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (1887-1898).
Image provided by the University of Griefswald.

Names:

Common Poppy
Abolera [Galician]
Adamour [Breton]
Adormidera [Spanish]
Amapola [Spanish]
Anémona [Greek]
Apormauna [Basque]
Baaboons [Maltese]
Babaol [Catalan]
Babairoso [Galician]
Babolna [Maltese]
Bebella [Maltese]
Bebiliya [Maltese]
Bhuin Phool [Kashmiri]
Błękitnik [Polish]
Brudny Mak [Polish]
Burbuļmagonīte [Latvian]
Cock-rose
Coquelicot [French]
Corn Pop
Corn Poppy
Corn Rose
Fargetaksurt [Estonian]
Field Poppy
Fióinín [Irish]
Flanders Poppy
Flour Rose
Gėlyčių Aguona [Lithuanian]
Gemeiner Mohn [German]
Gewone Klaproos [Dutch]
Ghasafar [Maltese]
Ghasfur [Maltese]
Gortsapopy [Armenian]
Graanroos [Afrikaans]
Hallika [Estonian]
Halliko [Basque]
Hashash [Arabic]
Hohtounikko [Finnish]
Hullok [Hungarian]
Jaglika [Serbian]
Jęczmień [Polish]
Jęczmionka [Polish]
Kakach [Armenian]
Katarinka [Czech]
Klaproos [Dutch]
Klatschmohn [German]
Klatzschmohn [Luxembourgish]
Kokarďák [Czech]
Kokineli [Greek]
Kornvallmo [Swedish]
Kornvalmue [Danish]
Kökürcün [Azerbaijani]
Kukuryku [Polish]
Kukurykówka [Polish]
Kunsill [Maltese]
Lale [Urdu]
Llygad Y Dydd [Welsh]
Loulou [Maltese]
Mak Polny [Polish]
Mak Vlčí [Czech]
Mákvirág [Hungarian]
Måneskulpe [Norwegian]
Mengekorn [Danish]
Mittagsblume [German]
Mohnblume [German]
Ogamārīte [Latvian]
Ohřinec [Czech]
Paavo [Finnish]
Papaaver [Estonian]
Papareta [Catalan]
Paparina [Sicilian]
Paparona [Corsican]
Paparuna [Sicilian]
Papaver [Dutch]
Papavero Comune [Italian]
Papoila [Portuguese]
Papoila-das-searas [Portuguese]
Papoila-ordinária [Portuguese]
Papoula [Portuguese]
Papol [Catalan]
Papola [Galician]
Pavo Real [Spanish]
Pavot Coquelicot [French]
Pavot Des Champs [French]
Pepparkaka [Swedish]
Perjona [Maltese]
Peshkashok [Albanian]
Peshman Pasha [Albanian]
Pipacs [Hungarian]
Piros Pipacs [Hungarian]
Plamenec [Slovak]
Płomyczek [Polish]
Poljski Mak [Croatian]
Polní Mák [Czech]
Poppy
Rdeči Mak [Slovenian]
Red Poppy
Roemeria [German]
Roella [Spanish]
Roos [Dutch]
Rose [French]
Rose Del Ble [Occitan]
Rosella [Catalan]
Rosolaccio [Italian]
Röschen [German]
Rouwblom [Afrikaans]
Ruusu [Finnish]
Ruusuruoho [Finnish]
Schwaarm-Roues [Luxembourgish]
Shirley Poppy
Silkkiunikko [Finnish]
Sommer Rose [German]
Thunder Flower
Unikko [Finnish]
Vallmo [Swedish]
Valmue [Danish]
Valmue [Norwegian]
Vildunikko [Finnish]
Vlčí Mák [Czech]
Wilde Heulblom [Afrikaans]
Wilde Papawer [Afrikaans]
Wilder Mohn [German]
Xaxa-xexi [Basque]
Yabani Gelincik [Turkish]
Yumeiren [Chinese]
Żarawica [Polish]

Distribution: Africa, temperate and tropical Asia and Europe.

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan
Asia, Northern: Russia (Central European Russia, East European Russia, Krym, North Caucasus, Northwest European Russia, South European Russia)
Asia, South: Afghanistan, Pakistan
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey
Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine
Europe, Northern: Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden
Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
Europe, Western: Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands

Physical Description
Herbaceous erect annual regarded as an agricultural weed (hence the names “corn” and “field”). It grows up to 70cm (28in) in height, which produce hairs perpendicular to the stem.. The stems hold a single flower, which grow 5-10cm (2-4in) across. The flowers are vivid red. The plant can produce up to 400 flowers in a warm season, with each only lasting a day. When broken open, it produces a white to yellowish latex.

It thrives in disturbed soil, abundant in farm plots prior to pesticides. It grows in fields, grasslands, and the sides of roads. It is hardy down to 10 °F (-12 °C).

Papaver rhoeas flower stages: bud, flower, and fruit capsule, April 2010.
Own work-Alvesgaspar.

Symbolism
This plant’s fertility symbolism is long, reaching into antiquity. This is the poppy with the most deeply-rooted fertility symbolism.

Loyalty
In China the common poppy is known as yumeiren (“Yu the Beauty”), named after the Consort Yu, legendary concubine of the warlord Xiang Yu. When Liu Bang (founder of the Han Dynasty) besieged Xiang Yu at Gaixia, Consort Yu took her own life instead of letting herself be captured. Where she died the poppy grew, becoming a symbol of loyalty unto death.

Love
In Persia, the common poppy (especially red) was considered the flower of love, even acquiring the nickname “eternal lover flower.” Since antiquity and up into the modern day, the poppy is synonymous with those who die for love in Persian poetry (though this is often completely interchangeable with the tulip in this poetic tradition). This symbolism is also occasionally shared in Urdu literature.

Martyrdom
However, the dominant symbolism in Urdu culture is that of martyrdom. This has overlap with Western memorial readings but has a distinct religious character.

A memorial Flanders poppy from New Zealand, 9th June, 2012.
Own work--Moriori.

Culture

Ornamental
This plant has a long history of cultivation as an ornamental, producing a variety of colors including yellow, orange, pink, white, and nearly black. A popular cultivar, the Shirley poppy, produces pale and speckled petals.

Dye
This plant’s petals produce a dye used in certain medicines and some wines.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

The common poppy produces the mild sedative alkaloid rhoeadine.

It was used to treat gout, aches, and general pains. The petals were used to make a syrup fed to children to help them sleep.

Poison
The leaves and latex are acrid in taste and mildly poisonous to grazing animals.

Food
The seeds are edible, raw or in bread. The oil is regarded well in French cuisine.

Compiler Notes

Quite a lot can be done with a sleep syrup.
In Persian poetry the common poppy and the tulip are interchangeable.
The common poppy can be used as a shared symbol between disparate cultures, revealing those cultures' differing priorities on the flower's death symbolism. A culture which uses poppies to honor the dead will be different from one which uses it to honor romantic love, both of which are quite different from a culture which associates it with religious self-sacrifice. (This would be for a constructed world of middling resolution, as all three interpretations hold truck in Western culture.)

Image Refs

[Img 07 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_rhoeas_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-101.jpg ]

[Img 08 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poster_papaver_3a.jpg ]

[Img 09 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NZRSA_remembrance_poppy.jpg ]

Papaver somniferum, 26th June, 2005.
Own work--Louise Joly, one half of AtelierJoly.

Names:

Opium Poppy
Adormidera [Spanish]
Afeem [Hindi]
Afim [Portuguese]
Afion [Greek]
Afyon [Turkish]
Afyonlu Haşhaş [Turkish]
Amapola Real [Spanish]
Apfeen [Punjabi]
Aphim [Persian]
Aphiyon [Greek]
Apini [Latvian]
Apiñi [Lithuanian]
Birkes [Hungarian]
Blue Poppy
Breadseed Poppy
Dagmohn [German]
Dåresleik [Norwegian]
Dormideira [Portuguese]
Dormidera [Spanish]
Edmohn [German]
Gandana [Sanskrit]
Garden Poppy
Gartenmohn [German]
Gogsugbha [Tibetan]
Haşhaş [Turkish]
Hasjisj [Dutch]
Heroïen [Dutch]
Heroina [Spanish]
Heroína [Portuguese]
Himmelmohn [German]
Hullvallmo [Swedish]
Joy Plant
Kasa [Japanese]
Kasa-Kasa [Tamil]
Kaşkaş [Azerbaijani]
Kaşkaş [Turkish]
Kashkash [Arabic]
Kegelmaanzaad [Dutch]
Keshi [Japanese]
Khash Khaash [Hindi]
Khash-Khash [Persian]
Khaskhash [Arabic]
Khas Khas [Urdu]
Khus Khus [Hindi]
Kinmun [Burmese]
Klaprose [Danish]
Klaproos [Dutch]
Kuknarcha [Uzbek]
Kyskhash [Kazakh]
Lettsömn [Swedish]
Letshedid [Sesotho]
Mace [Malayalam]
Mae Salaep [Thai]
Mageslätt [Swedish]
Magseed
Magzat [Hungarian]
Mak Lekarski [Polish]
Mak Setný [Czech]
Mák Setý [Czech]
Makowiec Lekarski [Polish]
Mohnblume [German]
Moon Poppy
Ohom [Finnish]
Oilseed Poppy
Opiate Poppy
Opievallmo [Swedish]
Opiimoon [Estonian]
Opio [Spanish]
Opium [Dutch]
Opiumnyi Mak [Russian]
Opiumvallmo [Swedish]
Opiumvalmue [Danish/Norwegian]
Ópiummák [Hungarian]
Opiummohn [German]
Oppi [Finnish]
Papaver [Dutch]
Papaver Da Ópio [Portuguese]
Papavero Da Oppio [Italian]
Papavero Domestico [Italian]
Pavot [French]
Pavot À Opium [French]
Pavot Somnifère [French]
Pivoine [French]
Popy [Nepali]
Post [Hindi]
Schlafmohn [German]
Slaapbol [Dutch]
Sömntuta [Swedish]
Unimago [Finnish]
Unikko [Finnish]
Vallmo [Swedish]
Valmue [Danish]
Valmuer [Danish]
Valmuesaft [Danish]
White Poppy
Yingsu [Mandarin]

Distribution: Eastern Mediterranean, introduced across Europe and Asia in antiquity. Naturalized all across the UK, especially in the south and east.

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Europe, Southern: Italy, Portugal, Spain
Europe, Western: France

Physical Description
An annual herb that grows 1m (40in) tall, which produces flowers 3-10cm (1-4in) in diameter, typically occurring in the colors white, mauve, or red, with occasional dark markings at the base.

Symbolism
This poppy is an emblem of eternal sleep.

Culture
Poppy press cake is the leftover of the process of extracting oil from the seeds, and is used as fodder for animals, especially poultry and fancy birds.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

This plant is heavily cultivated for the alkaloids morphine, codeine, thebaine, and oripavine. This use predates written history.

Food
The seeds of this poppy are favored in Central Europe for traditional pastries.

Czech blue poppy seeds, 4th June, 2018.
Own work--Mojeagro.

Compiler Notes

Perhaps do something with the different colors of the flower lending different properties to the opium?
This plant naturalizes anywhere with a suitable climate, so it should be expected anywhere the climate is temperate. Lean into this.

Image Refs

[Img 10 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Opium_poppy.jpg ]

[Img 11 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cesky-modry-mak_detail.jpg ]

Poppy of Troy, April 2010.
Own work--Alvegaspar.

Names:

Poppy of Troy
Amapola Silvestre [Spanish]
Bristly Poppy
Coquelicot Sauvage [French]
Dwarf Broadseed Poppy
Dwarfpawpaw [Afrikaans]
Haşhaş [Turkish]
Mak Szczeciasty [Polish]
Papavero Selvatico [Italian]
Pavot Sauvage [French]
Rough Opium Poppy
Rough Poppy
Setaceous Poppy
Setiger Mohn [German]
Troy Poppy
Wild Opium Poppy
Wilde Slaapbol [Dutch]

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Europe, Southern: Italy, Portugal, Spain
Europe, Western: France

Physical Description
Herbaceous annual closely related to the opium poppy, this flower produces a small amount of morphine alkaloids.

The poppy of Troy reaches 10-80cm (7.9-31.5in) in height, with an erect stem, ending in flowers 4-10cm in diameter, with pink-purple petals, with a dark purple blotch at the base. It flowers May through June.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name, distribution, and color.

Image Refs

[Img 12 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_April_2010-13_crop.jpg ]

A brick of dried opium latex, 3rd Oct, 2017.
From The Honest Drug Book, phot by DMTrott.

Names:

Opium
Abendsonne [German]
Affion [Turkish]
Afión [Spanish]
Afium [Romanian]
Afiún [Greek]
Afyūn [Arabic]
Ahiphena [Sanskrit]
Ahiphenam [Sanskrit]
Aiphion [Ancient Greek]
Apene [Yoruba]
Aphim [Persian]
Apiin [Tamil]
Apiun [Malayalam]
Awafiun [Hausa]
Big O
Black Pill
Celestial Drug
Chan Yak [Cantonese]
Chandu [Hindi/Malay]
Dakruon Mekonos [Ancient Greek]
Djadam [Javanese]
Dope
Dover's Powder
Dragon's Breath
Dream Medicine
Fu-yung [Cantonese/Mandarin]
Gateway to Paradise
Golden Smoke
Gum Opium
Hashish [Arabic]
Heaven's Dew
Hop
Hul Gil [Sumerian]
Kasa-Kasa [Tamil]
Keshi [Japanese]
Khan [Persian]
Khash-Khash [Persian]
Kheshbin [Ancient Egyptian]
Kus-Kus [Malay]
Lachryma papaveris
Laudanum
Madak [Indonesian/Javanese]
Madat [Hindi]
Maslak [Hindi]
Meconeion [Ancient Greek]
Meconium
Mekon [Ancient Greek]
Mekonos Opion [Ancient Greek]
Midnight Oil
Miqshah [Biblical Hebrew]
Moon Medicine
Night Pearl
O'er The Wall
O-fu-yung [Chinese]
O.P.
Opii [Latin]
Opio [Spanish]
Opion [Greek]
Opium Crudum
Opium Poppy Latex
Opium Thebaicum
Papaver Juice
Papaveris Succus [Latin]
Pavot [French]
Peace Smoke
Peri [Persian]
Pharaoh's Tears
Poppy Juice
Poppy Tears
Poppy's Milk
Post [Hindi]
Raw Opium
Rosh [Biblical Hebrew]
Serpent's Kiss
Shanghai Sally
Shekem [Akkadian]
Shudang [Korean]
Sleep Maker
Soporific
Spnw [Ancient Egyptian]
Succus Papaveris [Latin]
Succus Thebaicus [Latin]
Tar
Tears of Night
Tears Of The Poppy
Theban Dew
Thebaicum
Thebaikon [Ancient Greek]
Theriac [Greek]
Theriaca [Ancient Greek]
Tiger's Smoke
Tinctura Opii
Wedding Smoke
Wizard's Dream
Ya-pian [Mandarin]
Ya-pien [Mandarin]
Yingsu [Mandarin]

A lacerated seedhead of Papaver somniferum leaking opium latex.
Taken in Den Haag, Netherlands, 11th June, 2006.
Own work--KGM007.

Harvesting
The seed-heads of the poppy are slit to release a milky latex with the technical name Lachryma papaveris. This latex is potent in the narcotic alkaloids that make up opium (such as morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, etc.), and may cause irritation on direct contact with the skin. The “scored” poppy heads are allowed to bleed the latex, and then the latex is left to dry on the plant, before later being scraped off. This dried latex is the opium.

The methods of preparation have not changed significantly since prehistory, save that perhaps cultivation of the source plant is more sophisticated.

Latex harvested from other parts of the plant, or from other, less potent poppies, was called meconium.

Symbolism
Opium has strong association with gods of sleep, night, and death.

Opium was also associated with the mystic powers of priests, magicians, and warriors. The Egyptians credited Thoth with its creation and was given as a gift by Isis to Re to treat a headache.

History

Antiquity
Use of the opium poppy as a painkiller predates written history, with archeological evidence showing garden cultivation as far back as 5000 BC, across the Mediterranean and west of the Rhine. In Sumeria it was called hul gil, “joy plant.” The production of opium goes back at least as far as the ancient Sumerians and Minoans around 3400 BC. Its name is the Latinization of the Greek opion, what the Assyrians called aratpa-pal.

Early Greek accounts state in some places it was used in the self-euthanasia of elderly women. Hippocrates (460-377BC) is the first on record to emphasize the use of opium as a medicine and outline its methods of preparation.

Dioscorides (1st century AD) was the first to attempt a taxonimic analysis, primarily based on wild/cultivated habits and white and black seeds.

Pliny the Elder expanded on Dioscorides, likely being the first to identify Papaver rhoeas as the “intermediate” between wild and cultivated poppy. Pliny recorded the methods of preparation and consumption of the poppy, including boiling the juice, pressing into tablets, and the drying of the latex to produce opium.

Islamic Expansion
Following the period of Islamic expansion, despite prohibitions against intoxicants in the hadiths, Islamic scholars largely ruled intoxicants such as opium permissible in medicine. These scholars preserved the pharmacopoeias of Greek writers like Dioscorides. Some of these scholars even wrote their own critical works of the Greek writers and produced home medical manuals, such as Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, and his work Fi ma-la-yahdara al-tabib (“In the Absence of a Physician”).

Arab-Islamic traders introduced the opium poppy and opium production to India and China.

Later opium became a popular recreational drug in Ottoman society from the 16th-19th centuries. This use was also observed and recorded extensively in Safavid Iran and Mughal India.

Paracelsus
The reintroduction of Greek and Latin medical texts into Europe had a significant impact on both the development of the western occult and modern medicine. The great alchemist Paracelsus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim responded to the popular reintroduction of the works of Aulus Cornelius Celsus on medicinal opium by styling “Paracelsus,” equal to or greater than Celsus. Paracelsus supposedly returned from wandering in Arabia with a magic sword, in the pommel in which he held pills of laudanum, which were “Stones of Immortality” made from opium, citrus juice, and “quintessence of gold.” This laudanum became standardized as a tincture of opium and ethanol, and by the 1660s was treated as something of a cure-all.

Colonial Period
The movement of opium from colonial India to Qing China by the East India Company to balance out the cost of exporting tea out of China led to the First and Second Opium Wars.

During the early 19th century “dope” entered the vernacular. This originally referred to viscous liquids generally, such as sauces and gravies. This has been used to refer to opium in particular since at least 1888, as opium prepared for smoking is viscous.

Magic
15th century Chinese observer Xu Boling stated that among the many people who benefit from the use of opium, that “it enhances the art of alchemists…” It is not clear to this compiler whether this means that the inclusion of opium improves the quality of alchemical works by its inclusion the process, or that opium improves their practice when consumed.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Opium can be consumed a number of ways, including oral consumption, inhalation, suppository, and poultice.

Analgesic
The Egyptians told a story of how Isis gave the plant to Re to cure the god’s headache. Opium is the painkiller of the gods! It was used to treat everything from migraines to sciatica and neuromuscular disturbances.

In antiquity a spongia somnifera, or a sponge soaked in opium, was used as anesthetic in surgery.

The famed Andalusian eye surgeon Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi combined opium and mandrake as his anesthetic of choice. Avicenna likewise documented and compared the two plants in his work The Canon of Medicine.

Sleep Aid
Opium’s narcotic effects have been used since pre-history as an aid to sleep.

Respiratory Issues
Opium was used to treat asthma. This use was championed by Galen.

Cold
Opium is an antitussive.

GI Issues
Opium was prescribed for treating stomach illnesses, including diarrhea and dysentery.

Eye Issues
Opium was used to treat bad eyesight.

Intimate Issues
Opium was used to treat sexual dysfunction (presumably for both sexes). 15th century Chinese writer Xu Boling observed its recreational use in this capacity and even provided an account of the emperor sending out an expedition to obtain high quality opium worth its weight in gold.

Depression
Long history of use as an antidepressant.

Poison
Opium was recognized as deadly in large doses since antiquity. It was used in conjunction with hemlock for suicide. It was also used to stupefy and hypnotize.

Opium is the base material for the production of heroin.

Opium Smoking
The traditional opium pipe is known as a “dream stick.”

Photo of users in a Javanese opium den, circa 1870, photographer unknown.
From the photo collection of the World Museum of Amsterdam.

Compiler Notes

Opium in a phylactery or phylactery ring could have all manner of uses, from being a tool of art for a doctor to the accessory of a reckless soldier. It could be paired with a gem like an emerald to magnify each material’s supposed eye-treating effects.
Meconium syrup seems like it would be a useful common painkiller.
Opium magi. Their magic improves from opium use. Alternately, Opium could be used to do something like restore mana at the cost of risk of addiction. Work with this.
Based on the name "Night Pearl," the dope has a [pearl] association that is worth expanding upon in any direction that presents.
A religion might take great offense to the recreational use of opium because of its mythological role as the painkiller of the gods. Recreational use would be regarded as an abuse of a sacred substance, and might even provoke a lethal response.
Paracelsus's laudanum recipe might be interpreted as the god-anesthetic. This establishes a division between magic laudanum and the standardized ethanol-opium.
The pillbox-pommel sword might be a model for a reagent-distribution mechanism for a sword (dose of poison, magical oil, elemental tar, etc.). Such a sword loaded with the god-laudanum might be able to put people to sleep with the slightest of cuts.

Image Refs

[Img 13 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Opium_(Drug).jpg ]

[Img 14 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Opium_pod_cut_to_demonstrate_fluid_extraction1.jpg ]

[Img 15 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:COLLECTIE_TROPENMUSEUM_Een_opium_kit_op_Java._TMnr_60009390.jpg ]

Papaver alpinum, Schroken, Upper Austria, 19th June, 2005.
Own --Tigerente.

Names:

Alpine Poppy
Alpen-Mohn [German]
Alpemohn [Norwegian]
Alpenmohn [German]
Alpinvallmo [Swedish]
Alpínskur Valmúi [Icelandic]
Alpvalmue [Danish]
Coquelicot Des Alpes [French]
Dwarf Poppy
Fjallvalmur [Icelandic]
Fjellvalmue [Norwegian]
Fjällvallmo [Swedish]
Hooggebergspapaver [Dutch]
Mak Alpejski [Polish]
Mak Alpský [Czech/Slovak]
Mákovec Alpský [Czech]
Papavero Alpino [Italian]
Pavot Des Alpes [French]
Rosella Alpina [Italian]
Urutsurugiichige [Japanese]

Distribution:

Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria, Romania
Europe, Southern: Italy, Serbia, Spain
Europe, Western: France

Physical Description
The alpine poppy is a short, upright, hairy perennial the grows between 5-20cm in height, with several upright stems which produce a latex when cut. The flowers have a diameter up to 5cm and flower from July to August.

The alpine poppy’s roots are particularly robust, composed of a strong taproot with root hairs that angle upward, providing a strong grip.

Compiler Notes

Useful reagent for making one difficult to root out.

Image Refs

[Img 16 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_alpinum01.jpg ]

Papaver arenarium, 1989.
Own work--Fornax.

Names:

Caucasian Poppy
Amapola De Arena [Spanish]
Arena Papavero [Italian]
Coquelicot Des Sables [French]
Dänen-Mohn [German]
Dünenmohn [German]
Hiekka-Unikko [Finnish]
Klatroos [Dutch]
Klit-Valmue [Danish]
Mak Piaskowy [Polish]
Papavero Delle Sabbie [Italian]
Pavot Des Sables [French]
Rohupõldvagun [Estonian]
Sand Poppy
Sandmohn [German]
Sandvallmo [Swedish]
Sandvalmue [Danish/Norwegian]
Zandklaproos [Dutch]

Distribution:

Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan
Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus, South European Russia)
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey

Physical Description
A poppy that produces N-demethylcodeine instead of morphine.

Compiler Notes

Due to the fact that this poppy does not produce morphine, it could be used as a synonym for disappointment, ex: “As disappointing as a Caucasian poppy.”

Image Refs

[Img 17 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_argemone1_eF.jpg ]

Papaver argemone (syn. Roemeria argemone), 26th May 2012.
Photo by jacilluch on Flickr.

Names:

Pale Poppy
Argémone [French]
Argemone Poppy
Árgemonmák [Hungarian]
Bábôčka Poľná [Slovak]
Bastard Poppy
Bastklatschrose [German]
Behaarde Ruige Klaproos [Dutch]
Blauer Scheinklatschmohn [German]
Bodlákovitý Mák [Czech]
Coquelicot Argémone [French]
Cracking Rose
Gul Valmue [Danish]
Halmvallmo [Swedish]
Jeszennepipacs [Hungarian]
Keulen-Klaproos [Dutch]
Keulenpapaver [Dutch]
Klavervalmue [Danish]
Klaproos [Dutch]
Long Pricklyhead Poppy
Long-headed Poppy
Mak Piaskowy [Polish]
Mak Polní [Czech]
Papaver Argemone [Italian]
Papavero Argemone [Italian]
Papavero Selvatico [Italian]
Pavot Argémone [French]
Prickly Poppy
Rauhriziger Mohn [German]
Rød Hornvalmue [Norwegian]
Roemeria [French]
Ruig Klaproos [Dutch]
Sand Poppy
Sandmohn [German]
Sandvallmo [Swedish]
Sandroemeria [German]
Spiked Poppy
Stachelmohn [German]
Stiefmütterchen-Mohn [German]
Taggvallmo [Swedish]
Valmue-Hornvalmue [Norwegian]
Wind Poppy
Wind Rose
Zandklaproos [Dutch]

Distribution: Temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco
Asia, West: Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey
Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
Europe, Northern: Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden
Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
Europe, Western: Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland

Physical Description
Medium annual that grows from 15-50cm (6-20in) in height. Its long, branching stems are coated in stiff, prickly hairs, and fern-like leaves. The leaves that grow at the base of the plant produce stems, but those leaves higher up the plant do not.

Prefers fields and disturbed soils 1-300m (0-1,000ft) above sea level.

Grazing animals seldom eat this plant.

Magic
This was often the poppy used in the “cracking rose” spell.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Used historically in herbal medicine because of its trace amounts of narcotic alkaloids.

Compiler Notes

"Soothing as a wind rose" might be used to refer to a temporary comfort that doesn't address the underlying problem, providing only a fleeting distraction.

Image Refs

[Img 18 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amapola_macho_-Papaver_argemone_(7385599770).jpg ]

Papaver armeniacum, 13th July, 2018.
Photo by Andre Hosper on inaturalist.org.

Names:

Armenian Poppy
Amapola Armenia [Spanish]
Armenischer Mohn [German]
Coquelicot d'Arménie [French]
Haykakan Kakach [Armenian]
Kalach [Armenian]
Mak Armeński [Polish]
Papavero Armeno [Italian]
Pavot d'Arménie [French]

Distribution: Caucasus Region

Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus)
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 19 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_armeniacum_21300776.jpg ]

Papaver atlanticum, 3rd Feb, 2009.
Taken from anniesannuals on Flickr.

Names:

Atlas Poppy
Atlantic Poppy
Atlas-Mohn [German]
Atlaspavallmo [Swedish]
Atlantisch Klaproos [Dutch]
Atlaszmák [Hungarian]
Coquelicot De L'atlas [French]
Maapallo [Finnish]
Mak Atlaski [Polish]
Marockansk Vallmo [Swedish]
Moroccan Poppy
Papavero Dell'atlante [Italian]
Pavot De L'atlas [French]
Spanish Poppy
Vallmo [Norwegian]

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Morocco

Physical Description
Perennial with pale orange flowers on long, wiry stems.

Compiler Notes

Named for the Atlas Mountains, but could easily be construed as related to Atlas the Titan (for which the mountains are named).
Working from "Atlas's Poppy," this could be used to indicate comfort following performance of a great deed (in the eyes of the giver of the flower). Alternately, it might be used as a malefic reagent, to compel the identified "Atlas" to stupefy and buckle under the weight of their burden.

Image Refs

[Img 20 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_atlanticum_Flore_Pleno.jpg ]

Papaver bracteata, Small Dole, England, 2nd of June 2012.
From peganum on Flickr.

Names:

Persian Poppy
Bracteated Poppy
Bracted Poppy
Braktmohn [German]
Braktpapaver [Norwegian]
Braktvallmo [Swedish]
Coquelicot À Bractées [French]
Dekorativ-Mohn [German]
Dekoratívny Mak [Slovak]
Eftermohnblume [German]
Elatior Poppy
Grand Coquelicot [French]
Great Scarlet Poppy
Iranian Poppy
Mak Okazały [Polish]
Mak Velkokvětý [Czech]
Papavero Bratteato [Italian]
Papavero Persiano [Italian]
Pavot À Bractées [French]
Pavot De Perse [French]
Persian Red Poppy
Tall Poppy
Torvalmuviro [Hungarian]
Vårmur [Norwegian]

Distribution:

Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus)
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey

Physical Description
Hardy perennial with large flowers up to 20cm (8in) in diameter with stiff stalks up to 1.22m (4 ft) high. The flowers are deep red with a black spot near the base of the petals. Closely related to Papaver orientale.

This plant grows in grassy meadows at high altitudes between 6500-8000 ft (1980-2430m).

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

This poppy produces thebaine, which is converted into codeine, and semi-synthetically into hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. It does not contain the narcotic alkaloids codeine or morphine in sufficient amounts naturally to act as a narcotic without significant processing.

Compiler Notes

This is a particularly large flower, might make an effective emblem for a Persian Empire-analog. Its processed products might as well be associated with the decadence of empire.

Image Refs

[Img 21 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_bracteata_-_Flickr_-_peganum.jpg ]

Papaver cambricum, Anglesey, North Wales, 5th June, 2004.
Presumed own work-Velela.

Names:

Welsh Poppy
Bagoly Mák [Hungarian]
Basque Poppy
Cambrian Poppy
Celtic Poppy
Coquelicot Du Pays De Galles [French]
Gele Schijnpapaver [Dutch]
Geltonasis Aguoninis [Lithuanian]
Geltonoji Aguona [Lithuanian]
Geltonžiedė Aguona [Lithuanian]
Geltser [Danish]
Gullvalmue [Norwegian]
Gyllenmohn [Swedish]
Keltavaleunikko [Finnish]
Papavero Giallo [Italian]
Pavot Du Pays De Galles [French]
Pavot Jaune [French]
Valesisk Valmuesøster [Danish]
Valmue Gul [Danish]
Vallmosyster [Swedish]
Waliser Scheinmohn [German]
Welsche Mohn [German]
Yellow Poppy
Żółty Mak Walijski [Polish]

Distribution:

Europe, Southern: Spain (Pyrenees)
Europe, Western: England, France, Ireland, Scotland

Physical Description
The Welsh poppy grows between 30-60cm (12-24in) tall. It produces yellow to orange flowers, and blooms between May and July. It favors damp, rocky sites in upland areas. It produces many seeds and spreads easily.

It favors shady, rocky places, but the further west you got in its range it colonizes more open ground, to the point of fields in Wales. Because it naturally colonizes gaps and crevices in rocks, it readily colonizes urban environments, growing between pavement slabs and at the edges of walls.

Culture
Originally thought the type-species for genus Meconopsis in 1814 by Louis Viguier, genetic testing has convinced botanists to place this back in genus Papaver.

Compiler Notes

Its urban habit is worth keeping in mind as a reagent, both as a symbol of hardiness and resilience, but also because of its availability.

Image Refs

[Img 22 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Welsh_poppy_Meconopsis_cambrica.JPG ]

Papaver commutatum, 25th Aug, 2007.
Photo by André Schneider.

Names:

Caucasian Scarlet Poppy
Changeable Poppy
Commutatum-Mohn [German]
Coquelicot Changeant [French]
Coquelicot Variable [French]
Juffertje In't Groen [Dutch]
Ladybird Poppy
Mak Zmienny [Polish]
Papavero Scambiato [Italian]
Papavero Variabile [Italian]
Pavot Changeant [French]
Pavot Variable [French]
Slöjvallmo [Swedish]
Tschitscherinmohn [German]
Tusindpige [Danish]
Variable Poppy
Verander-Klaproos [Dutch]
Verwechselter Mohn [German]

Distribution:

Asia, Central: Turkmenistan
Asia, Northern: Russia (Krym, North Caucasus)
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran

Physical Description
An erect annual that grows up to 45cm (18in) tall and 15cm(6in) wide. Its leaves and stalks are hairy. Its flower is about 8cm (3in) in diameter and cup-shaped. It is bright red with large black blotches at the base of the petals. It flowers in early summer.

Compiler Notes

Retained primarily for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 23 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_commutatum02.jpg ]

Papaver degenni, 7th July, 2010.
Own work--RossenGo.

Names:

Pirin Poppy
Alpine Poppy
Balkan Poppy
Balkán-Mák [Hungarian]
Balkanski Mak [Croatian]
Bulgarian Alpine Poppy
Degen's Alpine Poppy
Degen's Poppy
Degen-Mohn [German]
Degenin Unikko [Finnish]
Degens Vallmo [Swedish]
Mak Degena [Polish]
Makovina Degenova [Czech]
Papavero Di Degen [Italian]
Pavot De Degen [French]
Rhodope Poppy
Rodopski Mak [Bulgarian]

Distribution:

Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria, Romania
Europe, Southern: Italy, Serbia
Europe, Western: France

Physical Description
The Pirin poppy is a perennial herb, 5-15cm long, with tiny yellow or orange flowers ~3cm across. The flowers bloom from July to August.

It is endemic to the Pirin mountains, at altitudes of 2100-2900m. This is a rare plant, and currently considered highly vulnerable.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 24 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NP_Pirin_Papaver_degenii.jpg ]

Papaver dubium, 16th June, 2005.
Own work--Rasbak.

Names:

Blind Poppy
Bastard Poppy
Bleke Klaproos [Dutch]
Blinder Mohn [German]
Blindeye
Blindmohn [German]
Blåvalmue [Norwegian]
Coquelicot Douteux [French]
Dlouhoplodý Mák [Czech]
Dlouhoplodý Vlčí Mák [Slovak]
Doubtful Poppy
Dubiöser Mohn [German]
Hoher Mohn [German]
Kétséges Mák [Hungarian]
Közvalmák [Hungarian]
Langarvet Valmue [Danish]
Långvallmo [Swedish]
Long Poppy
Longhead Poppy
Longpod Poppy
Lysgrønn Valmue [Norwegian]
Mak Wątpliwy [Polish]
Papavero A Clava [Italian]
Papavero Dubbio [Italian]
Pavot Douteux [French]
Saaren Unikko [Finnish]
Saatmohn [German]
Small Poppy
Smalnaturvallmo [Swedish]
Tveksam Vallmo [Swedish]
Tvilsom Valmue [Norwegian]
Twijfelachtige Klaproos [Dutch]
Umazaná Aguona [Lithuanian]

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia, Northern: Russia (Krym, North Caucasus, Northwest European Russia, South European Russia)
Asia, South: Afghanistan, Pakistan
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine
Europe, Northern: Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden
Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
Europe, Western: Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland

Physical Description
The longhead poppy is a viariable annual that grows ~60cm in height. The stems are hairy, with the hair staying close to the stem (unlike Papaver rhoeas, which has hairs perpendicular to the stem). Its flower is 3-7cm across, and commonly a light red with no black spot at the base of the petals. It flowers in late spring to mid-summer.

Favors sandy soils with no lime.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.
Name “blindeyes” lends it well to espionage or discretion. Mixed in the food or drink of a target or group of targets with a spell, this might blind all who consume it to the movement of malicious actors directly in line of sight.
Alternately, could be employed in a nosegay to tell the recipient to keep silent and pay no mind.

Image Refs

[Img 25- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bleke_klaproos_bloem_Papaver_dubium.jpg ]

Papaver glaucium, 8th May, 2006.
Photo by Elliot on Flickr.

Names:

Tulip Poppy
Coquelicot Glauque [French]
Fire Tulip
Glaucium [French]
Glaucous Poppy
Kurdischer Mohn [German]
Mak Modry [Polish]
Pavot De Turquie [French]
Pavot Tulipe [French]
Rose Des Vents [French]
Török Pipacs [Hungarian]
Tulpanvallmo [Swedish]
Türkischer Mohn [German]
Turkish Red Poppy
Turkish Tulip
Turkish Tulip Poppy

Distribution:

Asia, West: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

Physical Description
This is an incredibly hardy poppy capable of withstanding all climates, including the droughts of the Zagros Mountain range. The plant grows to 90cm (35in) and produces 10cm (3.9in) diameter flowers with a rich red color, with thin, sometimes crispy petals. The inner petals stick up, resembling a tulip. Otherwise it closely resembles Papaver rhoeas and Papaver dubium.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Confirmed to produce the alkaloids morphine, codeine, and thebaine, but not in quantities sufficient to be economical.

Compiler Notes

Retained for names and distribution.
The name [fire] [tulip] suggests a fusion of both phenomena and plant. Consider exploring the intersection of the element and tulip within a poppy framework.

Image Refs

[Img 26 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_glaucum_(1).jpg ]

Papaver hybridum, 9th April, 2012.
Photo by Jacilluch on Flickr.

Names:

Bastard Poppy
Coquelicot Hybride [French]
Gefleckter Mohn [German]
Espuni [Maltese]
Hispid Poppy
Hybrid Poppy
Klaproos [Dutch]
Kornvallmo [Swedish]
Mak Mieszańcowy [Polish]
Mak Mieszaniec [Polish]
Mak Polny [Polish]
Mak Zvrhlý [Czech]
Papavero Ibrido [Italian]
Pavot Hybride [French]
Prickly Poppy
Rabbitears
Roemeria [French]
Rough Poppy
Rough Pricklyhead Poppy
Rouwblom [Afrikaans]
Sand Poppy
Shakhroni [Georgian]
Sickly Poppy
Stachelmohn [German]
Stoppelvallmo [Swedish]
Wild Poppy

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Egypt (Sinai), Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia, Central: Turkmenistan
Asia, Northern: Russia (Krym, North Caucasus)
Asia, South: Afghanistan, Pakistan
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey
Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria
Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece (Crete, East Aegean Islands), Italy (Sicily, Sardinia), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal (Madeira), Serbia, Spain (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands)
Europe, Western: France (Corsica)

Culture
This is a weed of cereal crops.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.
Considering that this plant is a cereal weed, this may well be the poppy that is the ill-omen of the field.
"Sickly poppy" suggests that use of this plant for its soporific effects may also become subject to malefic influences of disease. An opium used by wicked witches tto help spread plague?

Image Refs

[Img 27 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_hybridum_la_amapola_blaugrana_(6919562314).jpg ]

Papaver lapponicum subsp. occidentale, 17th Oct, 2008.
Photo by Takeo Goto on Flickr (now removed).

Names:

Lapland Poppy
Arctic Poppy
Fjällvallmo [Swedish]
Fjeldvalmue [Danish]
Lapinunikko [Finnish]
Lapplandsvalmue [Danish]
Lappvallmo [Swedish]
Mak Lapoński [Polish]
Nordisk Valmue [Norwegian]
Pavot De Laponie [French]
Ruijanvalmu [Finnish]
Tundra Poppy

Distribution:

America, North: Canada (Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Québec, Yukon), Greenland, United States (Alaska)
Asia, Northern: Russia (East European Russia, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, North European Russia, West Siberia, Yakutskiya)
Europe, Northern: Norway

Physical Description
Perennial herb.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 28 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Papaver_lapponicum_subsp._occidentale.jpg ]

Papaver lateritium, 25th May, 2008.
Own work--Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man).

Names:

Orange Poppy
Armenian Poppy
Brick-Red Poppy
Brique Pavot [French]
Caucasian Scarlet Poppy
Coquelicot D'arménie [French]
Hayastani Kakach [Armenian]
Lateritius Poppy
Mak Ceglasty [Polish]
Oranje Papaver [Dutch]
Östlicher Mohn [German]
Pavot Orangé [French]
Teglrød Valmue [Danish]
Tegel Vallmo [Swedish]
Ziegelroter Mohn [German]

Distribution:

Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey

Physical Description
Perennial that grows up to 50cm tall. Flowers are brick-red, sometimes apricot in color, 4.5-6cm across.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 29 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Armenian_Poppy_Papaver_lateritium_Flower_2000px.jpg ]

Papaver nudicaule, Greenland, 9th Aug, 2011.
Own work--W. Pfahler.

Names:

Ice Poppy
Alpine Poppy
Altai Poppy
Arctic Poppy
Arktisch Valmue [Norwegian]
Arktischer Mohn [German]
Barren Ground Poppy
Coquelicot Arctique [French]
Dvärgvallmo [Swedish]
Dvergvalmue [Norwegian]
Dwergunikko [Finnish]
Dwarf Poppy
Färövalmue [Danish]
Fjellvalmue [Norwegian]
Fjällvallmo [Swedish]
Gelber Alpenmohn [German]
Gele Bergpapaver [Dutch]
Groenvallmo [Swedish]
Gronlandsvalmue [Danish]
High Alpine Poppy
Himalayan Poppy
Iceland Poppy
Icelandic Yellow Poppy
Ijslandse Papaver [Dutch]
Island-Mohn [German]
Islandsk Valmue [Norwegian]
Islandsmohn [German]
Islandsvallmo [Swedish]
Islandsvalmue [Danish]
Islannin Unikko [Finnish]
Izlandi Mák [Hungarian]
Keltainen Lapinunikko [Finnish]
Mak Islandzki [Polish]
Mak Syberyjski [Polish]
Mák Oranžový [Czech]
Nain Pavot [French]
Naked-Stemmed Poppy
Naktasis Aguoninis [Lithuanian]
Orange Alpine Poppy
Oreomecon [French]
Papavero Alpino Giallo [Italian]
Papavero D'islanda [Italian]
Papavero Giallo Alpino [Italian]
Pavot Alpin [French]
Pavot Alpin Jaune [French]
Pavot D'islande [French]
Pavot Des Alpes [French]
Polar Poppy
Polární Mák [Czech]
Saffron Poppy
Sáfrányos Mák [Hungarian]
Siberian Poppy
Sibirisk Valmue [Norwegian]
Tunturiuinikko [Finnish]
Yellow Alpine Poppy

Distribution: Subpolar

Distribution (Native):

Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Asia, Northern: Russia (Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Primorye, Sakhalin, Yakutskiya)
Asia, South: Afghanistan, India (West Himalaya), Pakistan

Distribution (Introduced):

America, North: Canada (Labrador), Greenland
Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland
Europe, Northern: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Asia, Northern: Russia (Magadan)

Physical Description
For convenience we regard P. croceum and P. nudicaule as the same species.

Hardy boreal perennial with a short life. Its stems are bare. It produces large, fragrant flowers that bloom white or yellow.

These plants prefer light and full sun but are weak to hot weather conditions.

Ice poppy is a biennial herbaceous plant that grows 30-40cm (12-16in) high. Its stems are hairy and leafless. The flowers are 5-6cm (2.0-2.4in) wide, and its petals range from yellow to orange, red, and white. They bloom from June to August.

This plant favors pastures, meadows, rocky slopes, and landfill areas.

Culture
This poppy cuts well, surviving for several days in vase.

Poison
Known to contain a number of poisonous alkaloids, and not any of the fun ones.

Compiler Notes

For this compiler, its variety of colors and its northern/frosty habitats are of greatest interest.
As "ice poppy," it might be cultivated to produce an opium latex that not only draws the consumer into a deep sleep, but also to freeze them in a state of suspended animation. Think fantasy cryogenic freezing. Explore further.

Image Refs

[Img 30 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wild_wachsender,_hellgelb_bl%C3%BChender_Islandmohn_(Papaver_nudicaule).jpg ]

Papaver orientale, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, 10th Feb, 2006.
Own work--RoyBoy.

Names:

Oriental Poppy
Atesh Lalesi [Turkish]
Doğu Haşhaşı [Turkish]
Grote Klaproos [Dutch]
Großer Mohn [German]
Harige Papaver [Dutch]
İran Haşhaşı [Turkish]
Jättevallmo [Swedish]
Jättivalmukka [Finnish]
Kæmpevalmue [Danish]
Kjempevalmue [Norwegian]
Mak Wschodni [Polish]
Orientaalinen Unikko [Finnish]
Orientalischer Mohn [German]
Orientalsk Valmue [Danish/Norwegian]
Orientvallmo [Swedish]
Östervallmo [Swedish]
Papavero Orientale [Italian]
Pavot D'orient [French]
Turks Maanzaad [Dutch]
Türkischer Mohn [German]
Vlakpapawer [Afrikaans]
Východní Mák [Czech]

Distribution: Caucasus, northeast Turkey, northern Iran

Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus)
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey

Physical Description
These poppies grown a mound of hairy leaves in spring, then bloom in mid-summer. Following bloom the leaves die away to conserve energy and water through the summer droughts of Central Asia.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.
Its habit for growing leaves in spring and discarding them in summer could be read as emblematic of prudence.

Image Refs

[Img 31 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oriental_poppy.jpg ]

Papaver quintuplinervium (syn. Meconopsis quintuplinervia).
From gardenersworld.com.

Names:

Harebell Poppy
Five-nerved Poppy
Hailar Poppy
Hublei Lü Ying Su [Chinese]
Lü Ying Su [Chinese]
Mak Pięciożyłkowy [Polish]
Mang Ya Lü Ying Su [Chinese]
Pavot À Cinq Nervures [French]
Purple Poppy
Wu Mai Hua [Chinese]

Distribution: China

Asia, Central: Tibet
Asia, East: China (North-Central, South-Central, Qinghai)

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 32 - https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/meconopsis-quintuplinervia/ ]

Papaver radicatum, 30th April, 2019.
Photo by hitchco on iNaturalist.org.

Names:

Arctic Poppy
Dvergevalmue [Norwegian]
Dwarf Alpine Poppy
Fjällvallmo [Swedish]
Fjelltulipan [Norwegian]
Fjeldvalmue [Danish]
Grönlandsvallmo [Swedish]
Grønlandsvalmue [Danish/Norwegian]
Kurjenpolvenvallmo [Finnish]
Lapinunikko [Finnish]
Mak Korzeniowy [Polish]
Nordisk Valmue [Norwegian]
Pavot Arctique [French]
Rooted Poppy
Ruijanvalmu [Finnish]
Svalbardvalmue [Norwegian]
Tundra Poppy
Yellow Arctic Poppy
Yellow Poppy

Distribution: Circumpolar; Europe, North America, Asia.

Europe, Northern: Denmark (Faroe Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Asia, Northern: Russia (North European Russia)

Physical Description
This poppy grows in arctic and alpine environments and is one of the northernmost plants in the world, growing at latitude 83°40'N on Kaffeklubben Island. Its stems are hairy, with the function of heat retention and insulation.

This poppy appears in both white and yellow, with the colors corresponding to different habits. The yellow poppies are more widely distributed in fields, while the white poppies are found in more remote locations. Its flowers exhibit distinct heliotropism, following the sun over the course of the day, using the cup shape of the flower to trap warm air inside to protect the ovaries from the frost.

Compiler Notes

The heliotropic habit of this plant is ripe for exploitation, especially as a fertility-oriented reagent.

Image Refs

[Img 33 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctic_Poppy_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_41380710_on_1_January_2024.jpg ]

* * * * * * *

Family: Papaveraceae

Glaucium flavum, growing on a beach in Algeria, 12th Sept, 2005.
Own work--Boualem.

Names:

Horn Poppy
Coquelicot Cornu [French]
Cornul [Romanian]
Geltonoji Raguolė [Lithuanian]
Geltonžiedis Raginis [Lithuanian]
Glaucère [French]
Glaucio [Italian/Spanish]
Hoornpapaver [Dutch]
Horned Poppy
Hornmohn [German]
Hornskulpe [Norwegian]
Hornvallmo [Swedish]
Hornvalmue [Danish]
Keltainen Sarjaunikko [Finnish]
Keltaänenvuokko [Finnish]
Mak Rogaty [Polish]
Mamecik [Turkish]
Papavero Cornuto [Italian]
Pluskawica [Polish]
Rohatý Mák [Czech]
Rosopas [Czech]
Sarvalakki [Finnish]
Sea Poppy
Szarvas Mák [Hungarian]
Valmue Horn [Norwegian]
Yellow Horn Poppy

Distribution: Europe, north Africa, southwest and central Asia; Saline habitats, including coasts and salt plains.

Physical Description
These poppies are so named for their seed pods, which are distinctly horn-shaped.

Culture
Named for Glaucus, son of Poseidon/Neptune, who chose to live on land. While fishing, he observed a particularly good catch wriggle towards this plant, eat it, and then leap back into the water. Curious himself, Glaucus nibbled on the flower, and found himself compelled to return to the sea, from which he never returned.

Compiler Notes

The horn poppy’s affinity for salt is something that can be easily worked into any number of situations.
The notion of a sea spirit choosing to live on land is a narrative worth exploiting any number of ways. The obvious use, of course, is the message of “return to the sea,” which could be used as an abjuration. Alternately, it could be used as a vehicle to bring one to the conceptual deep, to plumb mystery.
From the above, this is an obvious ingredient for a water-breathing potion. On the other hand, it could be used to curse someone to drown themselves.
The horns of this poppy suggest an affiliation with the Devil and might be explored as an anasthetic/sedative for demonic spirits (as in "the Devil's (own) opium").

Image Refs

[Img 34 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flower_Dellys_beach.jpg ]

Glaucium corniculatum.
Own work--Alberto Salguero.

Names:

Black Horn Poppy
Aaronsrod [Danish]
Červený Mamecik [Slovak]
Coquelicot Cornu Rouge [French]
Glaucienne Corniculée [French]
Glaucio Rojo [Spanish]
Hoornpapaver [Dutch]
Hornklappe [German]
Hornmohn [German]
Hornvalmue [Danish]
Hornvallmo [Swedish]
Kırmızı Boynuzlu Gelincik [Turkish]
Mac Cornut [Romanian]
Papavero Cornuto [Italian]
Pavot Cornu [French]
Red Horn Poppy
Röd Hornvallmo [Swedish]
Rød Hornvalmue [Norwegian]
Rødt Hornvalmue [Norwegian]
Rohatý Mamecik [Czech]
Roter Hornmohn [German]
Sarjaunikko [Finnish]
Sarvalakki [Finnish]
Sarvisavikka [Finnish]
Szarvas Mák [Hungarian]

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan
Asia, Northern: Russia
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey
Europe, Central: Hungary
Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
Europe, Western: France
Oceania: Australia

Physical Description
This is an annual flowering plant that grows up to 1ft (30cm) high. Flower is bright red, with black spots in the middle, and bloom from June to August. Leaves and stems are hairy.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 35 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glaucium_corniculatum_flor.jpg ]

Glaucium flavum, Botanical Gardens UMCS, Lublin, Poland, 16th June, 2015.
Own work--Salicyna.

Names:

Yellow Horn Poppy
Cornul Maritim [Romanian]
Gelber Hornmohn [German]
Gele Hoornpapaver [Dutch]
Geltonžiedis Raginis [Lithuanian]
Glaucienne Jaune [French]
Glaucière Jaune [French]
Glaucio Amarillo [Spanish]
Gul Hornvallmo [Swedish]
Gul Hornvalmue [Danish]
Gult Hornvalmue [Norwegian]
Havlik [Czech]
Keltainen Sarjaunikko [Finnish]
Keltainen Sarvisavikka [Finnish]
Mak Nadmorski [Polish]
Mamecik Žlutý [Czech]
Papavero Cornuto [Italian]
Papavero Cornuto Giallo [Italian]
Papavero Delle Spiagge [Italian]
Pavot Cornu [French]
Pavot Des Sables [French]
Sárga Szarvasmák [Hungarian]
Sea Poppy
Squatmore
Strandsvalmuë [Norwegian]
Tengeri Szarvasmák [Hungarian]
Yellow Sea Poppy
Żółty Mak [Polish]

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia, Northern: Russia
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey
Europe, Central: Germany, Poland
Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
Europe, Northern: Denmark, Norway, Sweden
Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
Europe, Western: Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland

Physical Description
Annual that grows between 1-3ft (30-90cm) tall, on branched, grey stems with waxy leaves. The flower is bright yellow or orange, and blooms between June and October. Its seed capsule is upright and long.

When cut, it produces a foul-smelling, orange sap.

Culture
Subject of a number of poems.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

Roots were used in Hampshire, UK, to treat bruises under the name “squatmore.” This anti-inflammatory property was also used to treat pains of the breast and GI tract. The active ingredient in this is the alkaloid glaucine, which is an anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator.

Glaucine’s side-effects include sedation, fatigue, and vivid hallucinations, hence the plant’s use as a recreational drug.

Poison
All parts of this plant, including seeds, are toxic. If imbibed they can cause a wide range of symptoms, up to and including respiratory failure to the point of death.

Compiler Notes

Do more with novel-colors for the sap-gore of plant monsters. This plant has noxious orange sap, while many others have whitish sap. Run with this idea.
The name "squatmore" indicates a laxative property. Run with this.
Run with the hallucinatory quality of this plant as a recreational drug in fantasy settings.
Social conflict related to the introduction of a recreational drug is fertile ground for storytelling. A culture that cultivates Glaucium flavum as a local recreational drug might be blindsided by an influx of P. somniferum latex. They might even make a legal distinction between "red/orange dope" and "black dope."

Image Refs

[Img 36 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glaucium_flavum_2015-06-16_442.JPG ]

Glaucium grandiflorum, June 1990.
Own work--Ziegler175.

Names:

Greatflower Horn Poppy
Büyük Çiçekli Boynuzlu Gelincik [Turkish]
Glaucienne À Grandes Fleurs [French]
Glaucio De Flores Grandes [Spanish]
Grossblütiger Hornmohn [German]
Largeflower Horn Poppy
Mamecik Wielokwiatowy [Polish]
Nagyvirágú Szarvasmák [Hungarian]
Papavero Cornuto A Fiore Grande [Italian]
Storblomstret Hornvallmo [Swedish]
Storblomstret Hornvalmue [Danish]
Veliki Turčinak [Croatian]
Wielokwiatowy Mak Rogaty [Polish]

Distribution:

Africa, Northern: Egypt
Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey
Europe, Southern: Greece

Biome: Disturbed soil and shrub-steppes

Physical Description
Grows 6-40cm (2.4-15.7in) and can have multiple main stems. The stems are branched and covered in dense hair. The flower is a bright orange.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.

Image Refs

[Img 37 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glaucium_grandiflorum.jpg ]

Glaucium obylobum, Mount Hermon, Israel, 23rd June, 2011.
Own work--Eitan Ferman.

Names:

Anatolian Poppy
Anatolischer Hornmohn [German]
Kleinasiatischer Hornmohn [German]
Lotus Sweetjuice
Mak Anatolijski [Polish]
Mak Ostrolistý [Czech]
Mamecik Anatolski [Czech]
Pavot De L'anatolie [French]
Papavero Cornuto Anatolico [Italian]
Sharp-lobed Horned Poppy

Distribution:

Asia, Central: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Asia, South: Afghanistan
Asia, West: Iran

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.
This name may be related to the flower’s glaucine content and tying it to the Lotus Eaters of the Greek Odyssey.

Image Refs

[Img 38 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glaucium_oxylobum_flower.JPG ]

* * * * * * *

Family: Papaveraceae

Unidentified Meconopsis, Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, Pennsylvania, 20th May, 2007.
Own work--Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man).

Names:

Welsh Poppy
Asian Poppy
Bhutanese Poppy
Blaue Mohn [German]
Blaumohn [German]
Blue Poppy
Blå Valmue [Danish]
Blå Valmue [Norwegian]
Blåvallmo [Swedish]
Coquelicot Du Tibet [French]
Himalayan Blue Poppy
Himalayan Poppy
Himalájai Mák [Hungarian]
Himalájský Mák [Czech]
Himálajamakki [Finnish]
Keltainen Vuorikko [Finnish]
Meconopside [French]
Meconopsis [Italian]
Meconopsis [Polish]
Mekon [Czech]
Mekon [Polish]
Mohnling [German]
Nepal Poppy
Nepalmohn [German]
Papavero Azzurro [Italian]
Pavot Bleu [French]
Pavot De L'himalaya [French]
Scheinmohn [German]
Sininen Vuorikko [Finnish]
Tibetansk Vallmo [Swedish]
Tibetansk Valmue [Danish]
Tibetansk Valmue [Norwegian]
Tibetan Poppy
Tibetmohn [German]
Ugyenpema [Dzongkha]
Upel Ngonpo [Tibetan]
Upel Serpo [Tibetan]
Valmue Blå [Norwegian]
Valmukko [Finnish]
Xizan Lümian [Chinese]

Distribution: Himalayas

Physical Description
This genus of flowering plants was originally identified as a distinct from Papaver by French botanist Viguier in 1814, who used the Welsh poppy as the type species for Meconopsis (“poppy-like”). Later testing has revealed that the Himalayan species were not closely related to the type species, which has been restored to genus Papaver. This has resulted in the “Welsh Poppy” genus referring only to Himalayan flowers. The taxonomy of this genus is still in flux and may be merged with Papaver in the future.

This genus of flowers is typically blue. The species readily hybridize and produce viable seed, raising questions over how meaningful present species distinctions are. This may be one large species with high morphological diversity.

This genus us monocarpic, meaning the plant only flowers once before dying, and each flower produces only one seed. This has made the plants notoriously difficult to cultivate.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

This genus does not produce opium.

Compiler Notes

Most importantly doesn’t produce opium.
These poppies are barely useful for their names and have a very narrow range. They are, at best, useful as an inspiration for visual motif in a relevant Himalayan-based setting. Value is low.

Image Refs

[Img 39 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Poppy_Meconopsis_sp_Pair_1000px.jpg ]

Meconopsis autumnalis, Ganesh Himal, Nepal, 2008.
Own work--Ethnobotany08.

Names:

Nepalese Autumn Poppy
Autumn Poppy
Herbst-Scheinmohn [German]
Herbstmohn [German]
Jesienny Mekonopsis [Polish]
Pavot D'automne [French]
Podzimní Mekon [Czech]
Syysmakki [Finnish]

Distribution:

Asia, South: Nepal (Ganesh Himal mountains)

Physical Description
Grows in sub-alpine habitats along stream margins, grassy alpine slopes, or at the edges of fir forests. Typically found in elevations of 3,300-4,200m in stony, humus-rich soil. Marked by late flowering period from July to September.

Commonly associated with [Rumex], [Arisaema], [Stellaria], [Nepeta], [Persicaria], [Aster], [Swertia], and dwarf shrubs like Berberis, [Rhododendron], and Juniperus.

Compiler Notes

The information on associated plants provides a good basis for a cast of characters and their visual identities.

Image Refs

[Img 40 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Meconopsis_autumnalis_P.Egan.jpg ]

Meconopsis bella.
Photo by Martin Walsh.

Names:

Pretty Blue Poppy
Beautiful Blue Poppy
Belle Bleue [French]
Belle Meconopsis [French]
Bella Valmue [Danish]
Bella Vallmo [Swedish]
Dwarf Himalayan Blue Poppy
Himalayan Belle
Himalayan Belle Poppy
Kaunis Vuorikko [Finnish]
Kleiner Scheinmohn [German]
Lovely Meconopsis
Piękny Mekonopsis [Polish]
Prekrásny Mekon [Slovak]
Schöner Scheinmohn [German]
Thiên Thảo Đẹp [Vietnamese]
Upel Nyima [Tibetan]
Vakker Valmue [Norwegian]

Distribution:

Asia, Central: Tibet
Asia, South: Nepal

Physical Description
Herbaceous perennial flowering plant found at altitudes between 3,500-5,000m, growing in rock crevices and grass cliff edges. It lives for over 2 years. In autumn and winter it dies down to a resting bud and emerges again in spring and summer. Grows from a root-stalk rather than a seed.

Known for their thick taproots, tufted leaves, naked stalks and nodding flowers. Flowers can be pale blue, purple, or pink, with either hairless or bristly stalks.

Compiler Notes

Retained for name and distribution.
Work with their dangerous margin for growth on the edge of grass cliffs.

Image Refs

[Img 41 - https://meconopsisworld.blogspot.com/2013/01/meconopsis-bella.html ]

Meconopsis grandis, 24th May, 2009.
Photo by Andrew Curtis on geograph.or.uk.

Names:

Himalayan Blue Poppy
Bristol Blue Poppy
Großer Scheinmohn [German]
Himālayī Khaskhas [Hindi]
Large Blue Poppy
Meconopsis Géante [French]
Mekonopsis Wielki [Polish]
Ngon-sngon-me-tog [Tibetan]
Pavot Bleu De L'himalaya [French]
Poppy of the Himalayas
Sateenvarjoruusu [Finnish]
Stor Bergvallmo [Swedish]
Stort Himalayavalmue [Danish]
Thingkar Metok [Tibetan]
Tibet-Blåvalmue [Norwegian]
Uchen Metok [Tibetan]
Upel Ngonpo [Tibetan]
Velký Mekon [Czech]

Distribution:

Asia, South: Nepal

Physical Description
Hardy herbaceous perennial that grows up to 1m (3.3ft) tall and broad. Produces large, showy blue flowers with a prominent yellow center-boss. Blooms in late spring.

Culture
Valued as an ornamental, but difficult to grow in gardens. Requires shade, slightly acidic soil, which remains reliably moist.

Compiler Notes

Most valuable for size and appearance.

Image Refs

[Img 42 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Himalayan_Blue_Poppy_(Meconopsis_grandis)_-_Jura_House_Gardens_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1327483.jpg ]

Meconopsis horridula, 16th Jan, 2009.
Photo by Ghislain118, from fleurs-des-montagnes.net.

Names:

Prickly Blue Poppy
Azure Poppy
Blue Bristly Poppy
Blue Thistle Poppy
Borstig Scheinmohn [German]
Bristly Blue Poppy
Coquelicot Hérissé [French]
Gser-po-me-tog [Tibetan]
Himalayan Prickly Poppy
Horrid Blue Poppy
Horridulous Poppy
Meconopsis Hérissée [French]
Mekon Ježatý [Czech]
Mekonopsis Kolczasty [Polish]
Prickly Poppy
Stachelig Scheinmohn [German]
Tsher-ngon [Tibetan]

Distribution:

Asia, Central: Tibet
Asia, East: China (Qinghai)
Asia, South: Nepal
Asia, Southeast: Myanmar

Physical Description
This is a high altitude poppy found between 3,100-6,000m that grows between 20cm and 1m. Flowers appear singly or in a raceme, with a nodding habit. Occasionally the flowers emerge from the lower half of the stem.

These plants grow near the upper limit for vegetation in the Himalayas, require lots of moisture, and require zero protection from the cold, tolerating temperatures down to -10F (-23.3C).

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

This is used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic (painkiller). This use has endangered the species. While this plant produces many seeds, the germination rate is low both in the field and in cultivation settings.

Compiler Notes

The medicinal use of this particular plant saves the entire genus entry in these notes, marking this plant as distinctly useful. Now the visuals can be tied to more abstract qualities. A character named for this blue poppy might have some built in character based on the medicinal properties.
The prickly quality also works well for character design. One must deal with the horrid barbs to get to the soothing medicinal qualities.

Image Refs

[Img 43 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Meconopsis_horridula.jpg ]

Meconopsis napaulensis.

Names:

Satin Poppy
Himalayan Red Poppy
Nepal Blue Poppy
Nepal Poppy
Nepal-Scheinmohn [German]
Nepalese Poppy
Nepalesisk Bergvallmo [Swedish]
Nepalesisk Valmue [Danish]
Népal Törékeny Mák [Hungarian]
Pavot Du Népal [French]
Papavero Del Nepal [Italian]
Red Poppy of Nepal
Sateenvarjomakki [Finnish]
Tsen-dong Memtok [Tibetan]
Upala Khaskhas [Nepali]
Upel Marpo [Tibetan]

Distribution:

Asia, South: Nepal

Physical Description
A yellow poppy. This species was recently reclassified to include only the yellow-flowered plant, so a number of poppies ranging from red, purple, and white are still circulating in markets and gardens under a misapplied label.

Medical
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

This mountain poppy contains beta-carbolines, which in high doses produce psychedelic effects. This dimension of the plant’s phytochemistry is understudied.

Compiler Notes

Despite being understudied, the psychedelic qualities of this plant are a sufficient avenue of exploration and inspiration.

Image Refs

[Img 44 - https://www.gardenia.net/plant/meconopsis-napaulensis ]

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See Also:

Plants
Flowers
Trees
Ferns
Moss and Lichen [Pending]
Fungi [Pending]
Cladistic Index
Herbal Medicine [Pending]
Resin, Incense, Balsam, and Lacquer [Pending]

Lardizabalaceae

Chocolate Vine
Dead Man's Fingers

Papaveraceae

Bleeding Heart
Celandine
Fumitory
Poppy

Ranunculaceae

Adonis/Anemone/Pasque
Buttercup/Crowfoot
Clematis
Columbine
Coptis
Hellebore
Hepatica
Larkspur
Love in a Mist
Monkshood/Wolfsbane

* * * * * * *

-Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. George Routleage and Sons.

-Higley, Sarah L. (2007). Hildegard of Bingen’s Unknown Language: An Edition, Translation, and Discussion. Palgrave Macmillan.

-Roux, Jessica. Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2020.

-Skinner, Charles M. “Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants : In All Ages and in All Climes : Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery), 1852-1907 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming.” Internet Archive, Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Co., 1 Jan. 1970, https://archive.org/details/mythslegendsoffl00skin.

-Tresidder, J. (2008). The Watkins Dictionary of Symbols. Watkins.

Damigeron's Dungeon

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Prestigious Plants - Papaveraceae 04 - Poppies

Prestigious Plants - Papaveraceae 04 - Poppies

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